Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star is reporting that Mike Dunleavy should return early this season.

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said last month that Dunleavy could be ready for the start of the season, but general manager David Morway told RealGM shortly after that the team has no timetable for the forward's return.

Dunleavy played in just 18 games last season and eventually had knee surgery that ended his year. Initially, the Pacers announced that he wouldn't return until 2010, well into the coming season.